Replies to post #89 on Today in History (TIH)

[dropdeadfred]

Nov 4 1979 - 3,000 militants overran the U.S. Embassy in Teheran, Iran. They captured 54 embassy staff members. Religious extremist and Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini praised their actions. The militants demanded that the Shah of Iran, who had ruled for decades and was now seeking medical treatment in the West, be turned over to them for trial; that the United States apologize for crimes against the Iranian people; and that the Shah’s assets be given to them. The Iran(ian) Hostage Crisis, as it came to be known, lasted 444 days, ending on President Ronald Reagan’s inauguration day, Jan. 20, 1981.